Episode 75

75: Labor Rights Now!

Published on: 20th December, 2021

Labor Rights Now!

(00:00) Intro & T-Shirts

(06:35) "Colin in Black and White." In-depth discussion of the Netflix docudrama series about the life of Colin Kaepernick, its connection to our shared history, and its implications for race and class and labor in America.

(40:02) Labor and politics and race. The history and importance and decline of labor unions. The Sum of Us, by Heather McGhee, a discussion of Chapter 5, "No One Fights Alone." The topic is the UAW's failed 2017 attempt to unionize the Nissan plant in Canton, Mississippi. How the unionization drive foundered because of the racial tensions at the plant, combined with Nissan's corporate sabotage of worker racial solidarity. The Fight for $15 and what was different about that successful organizing effort.

(01:32:48) The high stakes of non-union work. Unions don't just deliver higher wages and better hours and benefits. Unions also protect worker safety. Lack of unionization plays a role in keeping workers in danger. The deadly 2021 tornado workplace disasters, contrasted with the infamous 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Fire.

(01:49:25) Wrapup and Outro

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Show notes:

Colin in Black and White

The Sum of Us by Heather McGhee

Corporate wage theft

The Amazon warehouse disaster

The Mayfield Consumer Products factory disaster

The Triangle Shirtwaist fire

The Economic Impact of the Black Death

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